About Chris / gallery representation
Chris Chapman is a California artist known for her sensitive yet strong landscapes in oils, pastels and watercolors plus a body of work in native botanicals. Born in Pasadena in 1950, her bonds with nature and creative expression were forged early. She studied at University of Oregon, UC Santa Barbara, and Santa Barbara Community College. Mostly self-taught, her continuing art education is a lifelong devotion.
Combining conservation with art, Chris and husband, John Iwerks, lived and painted on the Gaviota Coast from 2000 to 2013. They were the first preserve managers at Arroyo Hondo Preserve, creating a visitors’ center, adobe art gallery, and natural history illustrations while also teaching art classes at SBCC’s popular Adult Education. Now Chris and John live and paint in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley.
Chris is a longtime member of the Oak Group, a small but auspicious group of preservation minded painters formed in 1986. Her works are featured in permanent installations and collections at Ventura County Art Museum, California Nature Art Museum in Solvang, Carrizo Plain National Monument, University of CA Santa Barbara Sedgwick Reserve, Arroyo Hondo Preserve, Santa Barbara and Goleta Cottage Hospitals, Sutter Health, Ridley-Tree Cancer Center, and Descanso Botanic Gardens. She is an Honorary Lifetime Member of Santa Barbara Art Association.
REPRESENTED BY: Waterhouse Gallery, La Arcada, 1114 State Street #9, Santa Barbara CA 93101 (805) 962-8885
“My creative nature is inspired by the beauty of the earth and closeness with loved ones. Whether observing little miracles, big wonders, or deep reflections and learning, I do it as a painter.
— Chris Chapman
